Schefflera plant named &#39;MONHINSCHF&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Schefflera  cultivar named ‘Monhinschf’ is disclosed, characterized by bright yellow-green petioles on bushy, vigorous plants. ‘Monhinschf’ grows quickly, propagates easily and tolerates cold temperatures. The new variety is a  Schefflera taiwaniana , normally produced as an outdoor ornamental garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Schefflera taiwaniana.

Variety denomination: ‘Monhinschf’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Schefflera cultivar is a product of a breeding program under thedirection of the inventor, Rick Wells, a at a commercial nursery inDayton, Oreg. The new variety was selected among a planting of seedlingsof Schefflera taiwaniana.

Seed was bulk collect from unpatented Schefflera taiwaniana plants. Thenew variety was selected among a planting of these seedlings in May2011.

First asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Monhinschf’ wasperformed by tissue culture at a commercial laboratory in Dayton, Oreg.in May of 2011. Multiple generations and sub-divisions have beenproduced, and have shown that the unique features of this cultivar arestable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘Monhinschf’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Monhinschf’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Monhinschf’ as a new and distinct Scheffleracultivar:

-   -   1. Superior branching.    -   2. Easier to propagate than typical for Schefflera taiwaniana.    -   3. Faster growth.    -   4. Better resistance to cold than typical for Schefflera        taiwaniana    -   5. Bright yellow-green petioles.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Monhinschf’ are comparable to Schefflerataiwaniana known commercially. Plants are similar in most horticulturalcharacteristics however, the new variety ‘Monhinschf’ differs in thefollowing:

-   -   1. Plants of the new variety have better branching        characteristics than typical Schefflera taiwaniana.    -   2. Plants of the new variety have yellow-green petioles,        compared to dull green petioles.    -   3. Plants of the new variety are more vigorous and grow faster.    -   4. Plants of the new variety propagate more easily.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Monhinschf’ are comparable to the varietySchefflera taiwaniana ‘Yuan Shan’, unpatented. The two Scheffleravarieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics however, thenew variety ‘Monhinschf’ differs having bright yellow-green petioles,whereas petioles of this comparator are green. Additionally plants of‘Monhinschf’ are faster growing and easier to propagate than plants of‘Yuan Shan’. Plants of ‘Monhinschf’ also branch better than plants ofthis comparator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

FIG. 1: Illustrates in full color a plant of ‘Monhinschf’ in a 5 gallonpot, approximately 2 years old.

The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘Monhinschf’ plants grown in a polyhouse inDayton, Oreg., USA. Temperatures ranged from about 5° C. to 15° C. atnight and about 15° C. to 28° C. during the day. No artificial light,photoperiodic treatments were given to the plants. Measurements andnumerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Schefflera taiwaniana ‘Monhinschf’-   Propagation:    -   -   Time to initiate roots.—About 30 to 45 days at approximately            22° C.        -   Root description.—Woody, colored near RHS Grey-Brown 199A.-   Plant:    -   -   Age of the plant described.—Approximately 35 weeks.        -   Growth habit.—Upright, outwardly spreading. Semi-temperate            evergreen small tree or shrub.        -   Pot size of plant described.—2 gallon.        -   Height.—55 cm.        -   Plant spread.—85 cm.        -   Growth rate.—Moderate.        -   Branching characteristics.—Two main stems, each breaking            into 2 to 4 lateral branches, producing an abundance of            foliage with long petioles.        -   Length of stem.—15 to 22 cm.        -   Diameter of stem.—1.5 to 2.0 cm.        -   Characteristics of stem.—Form: Round. Color: Near RHS            Greyed-Brown 199C. Upper Stem (new growth) near Yellow Green            144A. Texture: Glabrous. Oldest part of stem is rough with a            somewhat woody texture. Irregularly occurring lenticels,            moderate to sparse. Lenticels round to broad oblong,            approximately 3 to 4 mm wide and 5 to 6 mm long. Lenticels            colored near Grey-Brown N199B. Strength: Very strong.        -   Internode length.—1.0 cm to 2.0 cm.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf.—Arrangement: Spiral. Quantity: Abundant, approximately            30 palmately compound leaves, composed of 6 to 9 leaflets.            Most commonly 8 leaflets. Leaf Size: Compound Leaf: Leaflets            arranged to form a nearly perfect circular shape. Average            diameter: 20 to 25 cm. Leaflets: Average Length: 10 to 15            cm, including petiole. Smallest leaflet 10 cm, longest            15 cm. Average Width: 2.2 to 2.7 cm. Shape of blade:            Elliptic. Apex: Acute to almost acuminate. Base: Attenuate.            Margin: Entire. Texture of top surface: Glabrous. Texture of            lower surface: Glabrous. Texture of top surface: Matte.            Texture of bottom surface: Matte. Aspect: Flat to somewhat            down-curved. Color: Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green            137A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138B. Mature            foliage upper side: Darker than Green 137A. Mature foliage            under side: Near RHS Green 138C. Venation: Type: Pinnate.            Venation color upper side: Near RHS Green 143B. Venation            color under side: Near RHS Green 143A. Petiole: Length:            Average range 25 to 30 cm. Diameter: Average 6 mm at stem            attachment, 3 mm at leaf attachment. Color: Near RHS            Yellow-Green 144A. Texture: Glabrous. At stem attachment            farinous, colored near Grey-Brown 199A. Leaflet Petiole:            Length: 1.5 cm. Diameter: 3 mm. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green            145A. Texture: Glabrous.-   Flower: Not observed to date.-   Other characteristics:    -   -   Disease/pest resistance.—Neither resistance nor            susceptibility to pathogens and pests common to Schefflera            have been observed.        -   Temperature tolerance.—The new variety tolerates            temperatures between 0 to 40° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Schefflera plantnamed ‘Monhinschf’ as herein illustrated and described.